Headline News

Posted on: March 27, 2017

"Over There: The Great War in Loudoun’s Memory" Event Set for April 7, 2017

In commemorating the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I, Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary M. Clemens invites the public to attend an exhibition honoring Loudoun’s role in the “Great War.”

The Loudoun County World War I Commemorative Committee will sponsor an observance of Loudoun’s role in World War I with an event April 7, 2017, as part of Leesburg’s First Friday celebration. “Over There: The Great War in Loudoun’s Memory” will display Loudoun’s contributions to the front lines and home front through court records pertaining to the draft and war service, letters, post cards, photographs, the history of the poppies to remember the war dead, and the wills of Governor Westmoreland Davis and General George C. Marshall. The event is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the 1894 courthouse at 18 E. Market Street in Leesburg.

For the next two years, the Loudoun County World War I Commemorative Committee will hold a series of events exploring Loudoun’s role in the war, which began for the United States on April 6, 1917, when the U.S. declared war on the German and the Austro-Hungarian Empires. For the next 19 months, the U.S. would send two million men, in addition to food, weapons and financial assistance to our European allies. The United States’ participation in the war would begin a transformation in America’s agriculture, industry, banking, transportation sectors and especially its future role in world affairs.

Loudoun’s contribution to the war effort was in manpower, agriculture and community war drives. Two-thousand, two-hundred and twenty-four men were qualified for the draft from Loudoun County, 591 were inducted into military service and 32 lost their lives. On the home front, Loudoun adults and school children organized war-related fundraising drives. Thousands of dollars in Liberty Bonds were purchased by county residents. Loudoun’s agricultural economy supplied food to U.S. troops and allies.

To commemorate the war’s centennial, the Clerk of the Circuit Court Historic Records Division has created a World War I webpage that provides more information on Loudoun’s contribution to the war effort, including links to information about the history of the war and the home front.

The Loudoun World War I Centennial Committee was formed by government agencies and historic sites to commemorate Loudoun’s role in the “Great War.” Members of the committee are: